The Cowichan Valley’s first BarBurrito restaurant has recently opened at Unit 3, 5832 Trans Canada Hwy., in Duncan.
BarBurrito is a family-owned chain that serves Tex-Mex food like tacos, burritos, and bowls.
As of the end of 2024, BarBurrito has more than 300 locations across Canada, with the first one opening in Toronto in 2005.
Gurbreet Singh, manager of the new Duncan location who has eight years experience working in the restaurant industry on Vancouver Island, said business has been good at the restaurant since it opened on Nov. 29.
He said it helps that he and owner, Kulpreet Singh, are local and know a lot of people in the Cowichan Valley, many of whom have already visited the restaurant to support the new enterprise.
“So far so good as the Valley is supportive and the customers are so nice,” Singh said after preparing a burrito for a customer.
Duncan’s BarBurrito is located on the corner of James Street and the TCH in close proximity to a number of other restaurants, including A&W and the newly opened Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, but Singh said it’s a good marketing strategy to set up close to other eateries.
“We’re new here, so it’s helpful for the customers at the other restaurants to see we’re here and take a look at our menu, and that matters a lot,” he said.
As for setting up more BarBurritos in other locations in the Cowichan Valley, Singh said it’s possible.
“Maybe in the future,” he said. “The Valley is growing so it’s something that likely will be considered down the road.”
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In other restaurant news, A&W, which has a number of locations in the Cowichan Valley, is introducing a new Value Meal deal to ring in the new year and kick off the restaurant chain’s new era of Value Deals.
For a limited time and for just $6, you can get your choice of a Buddy Burger with Cheese made with juicy grass-fed beef and topped with freshly grilled onions, ketchup, mustard and teen sauce, or a crispy Chicken Buddy Burger topped with crunchy pickles and mayo, plus small fries and a small drink.
This limited-time bundle will be available for the first two months of 2025.
This Value Meal was developed by A&W to support price-conscious Canadians as they begin a new year.
With many quick-service restaurants now offering value meals during these challenging economic times, A&W has developed a value meal that delivers on price and value, featuring top-quality ingredients.
“We know Canadians are more price-conscious than ever and we’re committed to bringing great value to our guests,” said Susan Senecal, CEO and president of A&W Canada.
“We think this is the best-tasting Value Meal you can find in Canada,”
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The Support Network For Indigenous Women and Women of Colour is expanding into Duncan.
SNIWWOC's mission is to support Black, Indigenous women, women of colour, youth and children to take greater control of their lives, providing culturally appropriate services in different languages.
SNIWWOC is not only expanding its essential One-on-One counselling program to all women identifying as Black, Indigenous, and people of colour living in Duncan, but is also launching its newest Queer Indigenous Project that is available to racialized 2SLGBTQI+ residents of the city.
Queer Indigenous Project confronts three primary needs within the racialized 2SLGBTQI+ community, including eradicating racism and discrimination, enhancing reconciliation efforts, and promoting the history of the 2SLGBTQI+ movement, challenges and successes.
“We are the community that we serve, and SNIWWOC is ready to make an impact in the lives of our newly welcomed Duncan community members,” SNIWWOC said.
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Island Health’s Cowichan Health and Care Plan and Cowichan Indigenous Connection Team are two of the five winners of the 2025 BC Quality Awards, presented by Health Quality BC.
HQBC, previously called the BC Patient Safety & Quality Council, established the annual BC Quality Awards in 2009 as a celebration of the people and projects that improve the quality of care in B.C.
As the Cowichan Valley has one of the highest rates of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in B.C., one of the first initiatives the Cowichan Health and Care Plan launched was a program to better support patients and health care providers to manage COPD and reduce hospitalizations in the region.
Since its implementation, the COPD outreach program has supported more than 750 clients to manage their condition, resulting in fewer hospital visits, improved self-management, and enhanced quality of life for participants.
The Cowichan District Hospital Replacement Project Nuts’a’maat Alliance, Island Health and the Cowichan Valley Primary Care Network have been working with local Indigenous communities to foster trust between leaders and communities while advancing culturally safe designs, programs and care that feels welcoming and inclusive to all.
Through two Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Connection grants, the Cowichan Indigenous Connection Team has led to the creation of an Indigenous Advisory Council, the development of culturally safe care tools, and the integration of Indigenous art and design elements into the new Cowichan District Hospital.
Ongoing co-design with the communities has fostered trust, built leadership, and enhanced health services, focusing on cultural safety, anti-Indigenous racism, and improving care for all.
“The BC Quality Awards winners and finalists are finding solutions to health-care challenges facing communities across B.C.,” said Josie Osborne, minister of Health. “They’re reducing hospitalizations, supporting safer pregnancies, delivering care during climate-related emergencies, and much more.”
